Man-Tracking for Search and Rescue (SAR)

At the time I'm writing this, it is Fall in the Adirondacks, an area that is mountainous, and covered in endless miles of forests, rivers, and lakes. Thousands of hunters, hikers, photographers, and even locals just going for a stroll, leave the roads and pathways to make their way into the Great Outdoors. Some of these folks, both experienced and inexperienced, sometimes get lost or injured, and need to be rescued. This is what most people think of when they think of Man-Tracking, but this subject encompasses much more than that. Man-Tracking is about the location missing or hiding people for either rescue, or fugitive recovery, even in urban settings.

A skilled tracker is a boon to Search and Rescue Operations, often making the difference between finding a lost child, or someone who has died due to exposure to the elements. Law enforcement also makes use of the experienced tracker during fugitive recovery.

_________________About: Silver Sentinel is a security professional, licensed through the State of New York, and has received training in PPCT, Defensive Tactics, First Aid, I.C. Response, Haz-Mat Responder, Search & Rescue, MERT, CERT, Counter-Terrorism (not as fancy or cool as it sounds), and other skills through his job and activities as a community volunteer.

Thank you. And I know that while others may ignore the subject, you will look into it and take away some pretty useful stuff. You've always impressed me with your willingness to learn, adapt, and grow. The Sky's the limit!

_________________About: Silver Sentinel is a security professional, licensed through the State of New York, and has received training in PPCT, Defensive Tactics, First Aid, I.C. Response, Haz-Mat Responder, Search & Rescue, MERT, CERT, Counter-Terrorism (not as fancy or cool as it sounds), and other skills through his job and activities as a community volunteer.

Hey Silver Its great to see you around again The best thing anyone can do to helpSearchers is to always be prepared forAnything whether itsIn the city the wildernessOr even on the water

Even if you are spending A weekend campingAt a park its alwaysA good idea to haveA personal locaterDevice on youAnother thing is carry a cellphoneAND a walkie talkieWith you in case you can'tGet a signal on the phoneYou can use the walkie talkieTo send out an S O S if you have tiAlso some cellphones have GPS systemsIn them or you can get them for yourBlackberry device plus a maPUse the map on the blackberry whileCalling on the walkie talkie may help butIt may also wear down the batteryIf you are in a strange city your Blackberry should have a map telling you The name of the street and if the buildingHas a name. Such as The Astro HillComplex the name should appearOn the map in the APP When in the wildernessLook for any tracks Predator tracks will have footprints likeA dog or bear unless the animal is smaller Like a rabbitSome exceptions can be made ifThere are wolverines in the areaFor the most part the animals shouldn'tBother you if you don't bother themHowever that doesn't mean you are100% safe If you see a bear chancesAre her cubs are hidden near byYour best chance is slowlyBack away the same directionYou came in fromThis decreases the chance ofTripping over the cubs andMaking the mother angry at youIf you are in a boat make sure thatThe life vest is a bright colorOrange yellow red ect that standsOut from the color of the waterMake sure you wear the life vest at all timesIf you are in northern Canada or any otherColder climate you will need a waterproof wetsuitUsually orange or red It looks like a snowsuit but is designedTo keep the water out and the bodyWarm if you happen to fall in the waterOr the boat sinks Always carry and know how toUse a flare gun and plentyOf flares send one up every hour or soKeep in mind that the searchers are doingThe best they can to locate youThe best way to help is to make them findYou and try to make it as easy and safeAs possible for them to be ableTo get to you once you are foundSend up a flare as soon As you see lights in the Distance or in the skyEven if you don't thinkIts the rescuers If its not the rescuersThen they can send help to youAnd point the SARs in your directionIf you hear people callingMake noises yell outSo they can followYour voiceAnswer any questionsThey may askSo they know what toExpect when they get to you